Women's Rest Rooms (1935 - 1936)

This single storey concrete building was built in 1935 - 1936. It occupies an historic site as described in the plaque outside - the first public hospital in New Plymouth. 

The architects were Messrs. Griffiths and Stephenson and it was built by Boon Bros. The estimated cost was £1,836, but in October 1935 it was announced that the cost had risen to £2,060. It replaced the old restrooms located opposite the fire station in Courtenay Street. It opened on 20 May 1936 with little fanfare and as a result, "only a few women visited the rooms".

When the upgrade of the Huatoki Plaza took place there was some discussion about moving or demolishing the rest rooms. In the end a decision was made to retain the building in its original location and it was given a new paint job.

Further reading: Women's Rest Rooms, New Plymouth : conservation plan. Jordan, Kate (2017).

Related documents:

Banks gets the loo down on NZ's finest (Daily News 8 June1995)

Local loo lady flushed with pride (Daily News 27 June 1995)

Women come out fighting for historical rest rooms (Taranaki Daily News 19 July 2005)

Saved from wrecker (Taranaki Daily News 18/08/2005)